I Miss My Grandma's Cooking

 
 

The London Cookbook: Recipes from the Restaurants, Cafes, and Hole-in-the-Wall Gems of a Modern City

By Aleksandra Crapanzano

Hardcover: 320 pages

Publisher: Ten Speed Press (October 11, 2016)

Language: English

ISBN-10: 1607748134

ISBN-13: 978-1607748137

Publisher’s Blurb:

From an award-winning food writer comes this intimate portrait of London--the global epicenter of cuisine--with 100 recipes from the city's best restaurants, dessert boutiques, tea and coffee houses, cocktail lounges, and hole-in-the-wall gems--all lovingly adapted for the home kitchen.

Once known for its watery potatoes, stringy mutton, and grayed vegetables, London is now considered to be the most vibrant city on the global food map. The London Cookbook  reflects the contemporary energy and culinary rebirth of this lively, hip, sophisticated, and very international city. It is a love letter to the city and an insider's guide to its most delicious haunts, as well as a highly curated and tested collection of the city's best recipes. This timeless book explores London's incredibly diverse cuisine through an eclectic mix of dishes, from The Cinnamon Club's Seared Aubergine Steaks with Sesame and Tamarind to the River Cafe's Tagliatelle with Lemon, and from Tramshed's Indian Rock Chicken Curry to Nopi's Sage and Cardamom Gin. Striking the perfect balance between armchair travel and approachable home cooking, The London Cookbook is both a resource and keepsake, a book as much for the well-travelled cook as for the dreaming novice.

My Thoughts:

British cooking has long had a bland rap as being over boiled and bland. My British grandmother, however, was a wonderful cook, and I loved going for visits because everything was so good.

This cookbook heralds the wonderful cuisine available in Britain. But it’s not just recipes; it also gives a history of British cuisine and discusses restaurants, places, and chefs. It makes me NEED to get back to England again.

Some of the recipes are updated classics, like Eton Mess, but many are new. Instructions are clear, and, although the author says the recipes are not “fussy,” they do take some technique and some time. These are not recipes for coming home from work and wondering what the heck to cook for dinner tonight. Most ingredients are commonly available, although some are a little more exotic and if, like me, you live in a rather out-of-the-way place, may be difficult to find.

While not every recipe appeals to me, there are many—particularly desserts!—that I can’t wait to try!

Thank you, NetGalley, for the ARC!

Fairytales Re-released



 

The Fir Tree

By Hans Christian Anderson

Illustrated by Sanna Annukka

Age Range: 4 - 8 years

Grade Level: Preschool - 3

Hardcover: 48 pages

Publisher: Ten Speed Press (October 4, 2016)

ISBN-10: 039957848X

ISBN-13: 978-0399578489

 

Publisher’s Blurb:

Hans Christian Andersen's tragic tale of naive greed and dissatisfaction is retold through the beautiful and intricate illustrations of Finnish illustrator Sanna Annukka. Cloth-bound in rich forest green, with gold foil embellishments, The Fir Tree is a unique work of art.

Sanna Annukka is familiar to many from her collaborations with Marimekko and her artwork for Keane's album, Under the Iron Sea. For her first book project, she illustrates Hans Christian Andersen's classic fairy tale, The Fir Tree. A beautiful gift to give and receive.

 

The Snow Queen

By Hans Christian Anderson

Illustrated by Sanna Annukka

Publisher: Ten Speed Press (October 4, 2016)

Language: English

ISBN-10: 0399578501

ISBN-13: 978-0399578502

 

Publisher’s Blurb:

Hans Christian Andersen's magical tale of friendship and adventure is retold through the beautiful and intricate illustrations of Finnish illustrator Sanna Annukka. Cloth-bound in deep blue, with silver foil embellishments, The Snow Queen is elevated from a children's book to a unique work of art. It is an ideal gift for people of all ages.

 

My Thoughts:

These are not Disney tales. Anderson’s tales were often moral warnings and don’t always have happy endings. In fact, The Snow Queen is only barely recognizable as the tale that became Disney’s Frozen.

 

That said, the ethnic Finnish illustrations add a charm to Anderson’s tales. Just don’t go into this expecting everything to be sunshine and lollipops. Any time your protagonist (The Fir Tree) ends up as kindling, you know that. Gerda’s travels in rescuing Kay (The Snow Queen) have their detours and sidetracks which are not always lovely.

 

The tales have definite and fairly overt morals to them—something modern readers may not be accustomed to.

 

In the end, these really aren’t tales for modern children, but small sermons.

 

Possible Objectionable Material:

Sad experiences. Mention of God, angels, and Jesus. If you are not a believer, this could potentially be a problem for you. People are killed—rather pointlessly, but not at all graphically. The little robber girl Gerda meets is kind of scary. Someone drinks until she falls asleep. A parent “thumps” a child, “out of love”.

 

Who Might Like This Book:

Lovers of classic children’s and fairytales. Not necessarily children, as the narratives are not fast-moving or particularly exciting.

 

Thank you, NetGalley, for the ARCs.

For lovers of dragons

Dragon’s Future

by Kandi J. Wyatt

Series: Dragon Courage

Paperback: 258 pages

Publisher: CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform (June 7, 2016)

Language: English

ISBN-10: 153321235X

ISBN-13: 978-1533212351

Publisher’s Blurb:

Every child of Woolpren dreams of becoming one, but only a few are chosen. Now, ten-year-old twin brother and sister, Ruskya and Duskya, have been selected to join an elite group of riders: dragon riders. Full of awe and excitement, the twins leave their mother, and their home, to train for their new lives. Fifteen years later, dragons are becoming extinct and riders are rare. One day, Ruskya is at the general store in town when a man announces that he is recruiting new dragon riders. Ruskya goes undercover, and discovers that there is another colony of riders with their own agenda--a quest to find a mysterious plant that could restore the dragon population, or destroy it. When a battle erupts between the two colonies, it's up to Ruskya and his friends to fight for their dragons' future, and their lives. Follow Ruskya's quest as he finds courage and friendship in this exciting middle grade fantasy series by Kandi J Wyatt.

Sara’s Thoughts:

3/5

All in all I enjoyed this book. The story was engaging and the characters likable. There were some issues, though.

First, the names are all too similar, particularly for the main dragons. Considering that Wyn and Wryn are some of the names, you can see where confusion is easy. The humans often have extra y's in their names too.

While the characters are likable, they have limited growth. For the most part, they start out as reasonable brave, good, polite, hard working people and in the end they might be a bit braver and use their hard work to figure out a solution. Every once in a while, there is a very small temptation to do something wrong or unethical, which is quickly overcome. The main heroes also never seem to argue with each other.

**Potential Spoilers**

Other questions come from how the relationship between the dragons and the town came about. Where did the antagonist get his powers, and how did he get a dragon and first hear about the special herb he was searching for? How did Cerulean get mixed up with this other group? Why did the two dragon groups never meet before? Why does Carryl have these extra abilities with the dragons and why is Kyn so good at healing humans with only a few days of training and some instinct?

Dragon’s Heir

by Kandi J. Wyatt

Series: The Dragon Courage Series

Publisher: CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform; 2 edition (June 7, 2016)

Language: English

ISBN-10: 1533222509

ISBN-13: 978-1533222503

Publisher’s Blurb:

In the ten winters since Kyanos was defeated, Rider Braidyn and his dragon, Turqueso, have made a place for themselves in the sleepy Boeskay colony. But when two nestlings are stolen from the hatchling cave, Braidyn’s sense of justice leads him on a quest to find the person responsible. After recovering one nestling, Braidyn recruits his old friends Ruskya and Carryl to help. The friends travel to a faraway desert colony where they find a group of riders with different customs, and meet a beautiful young woman who could be the key to finding the missing nestling. Can Braidyn learn to temper justice with mercy, or will he risk losing everything? Journey along in this exciting fantasy world in the spellbinding second installment of the Dragon Courage series, Dragon’s Heir, by Kandi J Wyatt.

Sara’s Thoughts:

4/5

This book was as likable as the first but without many of the confusing aspects, like too similar of names. It even answers some of the questions I had after the first finished. Character growth is more evident, but still a little too easy. These books revolve more around story than character.

I think it would be possible to read this one without having read the first, but there are points where you might be a bit confused.

(Apologies for the funky formatting...it's readable and it's time to cook dinner!)

May I introduce...

...my daughter, Sara. She's pretty awesome. She has a Bachelor's degree in Recreation Management, with a minor in Ballroom Dance, and a Master's in Youth and Family Recreation. She also has a lot more time than I do for reading. She likes reviewing books, too, so she will be making frequent appearances as a guest reviewer.

Life on the Dark Side

 

Shadow Magic
By Joshua Khan
Age Range: 8 - 12 years
Grade Level: 3 - 7
Hardcover: 336 pages
Publisher: Disney-Hyperion (April 12, 2016)
ISBN-10: 1484732723
ISBN-13: 978-1484732724
 
Publisher’s Blurb:
Thorn, an outlaw's son, wasn't supposed to be a slave. He's been sold to Tyburn, an executioner, and they're headed to Castle Gloom in Gehenna, the land of undead, where Thorn will probably be fed to a vampire.
 
Lilith Shadow wasn't supposed to be ruler of Gehenna. But following the murder of her family, young Lily became the last surviving member of House Shadow, a long line of dark sorcerers. Her country is surrounded by enemies and the only way she can save it is by embracing her heritage and practicing the magic of the undead. But how can she when, as a girl, magic is forbidden to her?



Just when it looks like Lily will have to leave her home forever, Thorn arrives at Castle Gloom. A sudden death brings them together, inspires them to break the rules, and leads them to soar to new heights in this fantasy with all the sparkle and luster of a starry night sky.
 
My Thoughts:
This was fun. Lily is young—just thirteen—and is left to rule her land, a land that has always struggled. Her uncle and guardian is promoting her arranged marriage to the son of one of her greatest enemies, and he’s a total twit. What’s a girl to do?
 
All those things that people are afraid of—zombies, vampires, and the like—are part of daily life in Gehenna. No wonder Thorn is frightened half to death when he has to go there. But as he adjusts to life there, he finds that it’s not so bad. And Lily, far from being a stuck up princess, is actually pretty nice. So is political prisoner K’Leef. Thorn finds that, despite their very different social classes, they can be friends. Of course, he’s hampered by a secret that has had him on the run.
 
Overall, the narrative and plot are satisfying. Who is really behind the murder of Lily’s parents and brother makes sense. It is telegraphed adeptly—I figured it out pretty easily; younger readers might not be quite so quick. The plot moves quickly enough to keep readers interested.
 
It does bother me that Lily, left with only her drunk and somewhat incompetent uncle as family, is being forced to leave her home for a long betrothal to her enemy. She’s so young. Even though the wedding won’t take place for some time, her age at the time of the story just makes it awkward.
 
Possible Objectionable Material:
A variety of dark creatures, as mentioned above. Danger, murder, peril. Bullying.
 
Who Might Like This Book:
General readers, boys and girls, who like adventure and coming of age. Those who like things a little on the darker side. The suggested age range is appropriate.
 
Thank you, NetGalley, for the ARC.

Kid Crimebusters

The Secret of the Puzzle Box
By Penny Warner
Series: Code Busters Club
Age Range: 8 - 12 years
Grade Level: 3 – 7
Hardcover: 192 pages
Publisher: Darby Creek Publishing (August 1, 2016)
ISBN-10: 1512403075
ISBN-13: 978-1512403077
 
Publisher’s Blurb:
The Code Busters are excited for their class field trip to Angel Island, known as the Ellis Island of the West. One of Mika's ancestors passed through the island's immigration station in the early twentieth century, and Mika thinks he may have left behind some secret messages . . . plus a very special box. But as the Code Busters search for hints from the past, they get caught up in an even bigger secret.

Can you crack the code? Test your brain with the Code Busters to see if you have the right stuff to be an ace detective. Answers are in the back, in case you get stuck.

My Thoughts:
This is definitely a book you want to have in hard copy. In e-book form, it was tough to check my code-breaking skills with the keys at the back of the book.

I haven’t read others in this series, so I don’t know all the backstory of the characters, but this is a fun group of late-elementary-aged children.

It definitely gave me a “Scooby Doo” vibe—you know, those meddling kids! The bad guy was definitely reminiscent of a bad guy from that long-running cartoon series.

The kids worked well together and supported each other. What I didn’t like was the class outcast, “Matt the Brat.” I think he was a stereotype of the boy who can’t sit still and finds himself in trouble a lot. Yes, he was a bit of a braggart, but I think he was poorly handled. The Code Busters were very unsympathetic and cold toward him until near the end, when they actually come to like him a bit. I hope that is a trend that will continue in further volumes. The “troublemaking boy” is a trope that, as a teacher, I find rather harmful.

The most far-out part of the story? These kids get to go on overnight camping field trips. Must be nice to live in a district with that kind of money!

My third-grader loves cracking codes and I think she would really enjoy this if I had a hard copy of it.

Possible Objectionable Material:
Kids do things without adult permission. Some dangerous situations.

Who Might Like This Book:
Kids who like mysteries and enjoy learning about all kinds of codes. Scooby Doo fans. The suggested age range is appropriate, although I know a few second graders who could easily  handle it, and many eighth graders who would feel they are above it.

 Thank you, NetGalley, for the ARC.